Warren Feeney believes he and Nick Chadwick can form a successful strike partnership for Plymouth Argyle.

Both players were on target in the thrilling, come-from-behind 3-2 npower League Two win at Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day. It was the first time they had been paired in attack, after Chadwick's recent return to Home Park on loan from Stockport County.

Feeney has praised the "phenomenal" contribution made by Chadwick since starting his second spell with Argyle.

Chadwick has grabbed three goals, and come up with as many assists, in four appearances. The two experienced strikers showed a good understanding on the pitch against Rovers, having been room-mates at Argyle's hotel overnight.

Feeney said: "I'm really glad Chadders has come in because he's a pleasure to play with. He takes a lot of the burden up there. I like to play off a target man, and I think what Chadders has done has been phenomenal. I really enjoyed it [against Rovers].

"He has come down here and he's on fire. He's enjoying his football at the minute and that can only be good for everyone at the club."

Feeney, 31, signed for Argyle on the eve of the season after leaving League One outfit Oldham Athletic. He spent the opening months of the campaign playing in an uncharacteristic role as a target man, and that did not suit the Northern Ireland international.

Now, with 29-year-old Chadwick leading the line for the Pilgrims, Feeney can concentrate on his strengths.

He scored his third goal in 16 starts and one substitute appearance this season when he cut Argyle's deficit against Rovers to 2-1 in the 53rd minute at the Memorial Stadium.

Feeney hooked the ball home from close range after Chadwick headed down a corner taken by Ashley Hemmings. "I want to get in behind defences and get on to things, and Chadders is perfect for me to do for that," said Feeney. "I thought we worked well together [against Rovers].

"We got put in a room together the night before the game, and sometimes people will dismiss it, but all those things help because you get to understand each other more."

Feeney admitted he found it difficult to spearhead Argyle's attack earlier in the season, often on his own. He said: "It was hard playing up there, and being the target man wasn't something I wanted to do, but I did it for the team.

"I'm really buzzing Chadders is here, and it would be great if he can go on to score more goals. He has got three in four games and that says it all about what he has done. If we, as a team, can play to our strength, I'm sure we will pick up more wins."

The rapport between Feeney and Chadwick is also there off the pitch. "He's just enjoyable to be with, and the boys have taken to him, and all the new signings as well. There is a good feeling about the group at the minute."

Argyle are unbeaten in their last four games, which has coincided with the addition to the team of Chadwick, defenders Maxime Blanchard and Darren Purse, and Hemmings, the on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers winger.

Purse started a three-match suspension against Rovers, but Blanchard, Chadwick and Hemmings were all in the starting line-up. Argyle trailed 2-0 at half-time but battled back in superb style to take maximum points, with Hemmings scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. Feeney said: "I thought we felt all right in the first half but, at the end of the day, it's about putting the ball in the net – and they did that. But we came out for the second half and if we had gone on to win by five or six, I don't think you could have argued with it because it was phenomenal the way we responded.

"I think now there is a bit of belief in how good we can be. If we can keep on this run for as long as we can, it can be good for us as a club and also as players personally."

Feeney added: "It's good for kids to play football, but I think you need as much experience around you as you can get.

"I know Pursey from Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday, and you know what he's going to give you. Maxime has come in and done a superb job and Ashley has also livened it up."